|
02 August 2010
CODA-CERVA's core activities consist of : Scientific research, Expert advice and Efficient provision of services in the following fields of activities :
Veterinary activities
Epidemic, endemic and emerging transmittable diseases in animals
Zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases threatening public health
Epidemiology : surveillance, risk analysis, and molecular epidemiology
Agrochemical activities
Contaminants and the quality of the environment in the framework of safe food production
The CODA-CERVA employs about 75 researchers, 105 laboratory technicians and approximately 50 people in support services.
The CODA-CERVA's headquarters and veterinary laboratories are located at Uccle (+/-180 workers). The agrochemical laboratories are located at Tervuren (+/-40 workers) and there is a third site at Machelen (experimental center).
The electron microscopy unit is located in Uccle. The core activities of the EM-Unit consist of:
Diagnostics
Quality control of biological samples
Orienting diagnosis of new, (re)emerging or rare pathogens
EM-research
Development, introduction and validation of methodologies
Descriptive electron microscopy
Quantification of particles and antigens on a unity basis by TEM
As the reference laboratory for infectious diseases in animals, at Uccle, CODA-CERVA has:
3,800 m² of confinement level 2 laboratories (Biosafety level 2 or BSL-2) to identify endemic infectious diseases and BSE, as well as
2,150 m² of confinement level 3 laboratories (BSL-3), comprising:
reference laboratories for aphthous fever (foot-and-mouth disease) also vesicular diseases, plague virus, influenza and avian and exotic viruses, also for highly-pathogenic bacterial diseases (plague, anthrax, brucellosis, tuberculosis, tularæmia, etc.).
a bacteriology laboratory to identify emerging or incipient risks (new infectious diseases, bioterrorism).
3,600 m² of confinement level 3 animal houses 3 (BSL-3) for small laboratory animals, poultry, ruminants and pigs (Machelen).
As reference laboratory for mycotoxins and trace elements in human food and animal feeds, at Tervuren, CODA-CERVA has a floorspace of approximately 5,000 m².
The mycotoxin reference laboratory is equipped with UPLC-MS/MS and nano LC-MS
The trace-element laboratory has ICP-MS and HPLC-ICP-MS
The centre also has special infrastructure (open-roof chambers, fumigation chambers) facilitating studies of the impact of climate change, and effects of changes in the composition of the atmosphere on the quality and safety of vegetable production.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 September 2010 10:05
